Money On My Mind

A lot of you have been asking: What are your favorite ETFs? And while I could just list them, that wouldn't be doing you any favors. In this episode, I'm breaking down exactly how to think about ETFs so you can make smarter investment choices for your unique financial situation.

We're going beyond just picking funds—I'm giving you a framework that helps you understand why certain ETFs make sense and why others don't (even if they work for someone else). I'll walk you through the key factors, from brokers and tax advantages to risk profiles and automation.

By the end of this episode, you won't just know my favorite ETFs—you'll know how to pick the right ones for you.

Key Talking Points of the Episode

00:00 Introduction

01:25 Why I don't just give a one-size-fits-all ETF answer

03:09 Financial education: The #1 key to smart investing

05:51 Understanding brokers: Vanguard, Fidelity, Schwab, and M1 Finance

08:41 How much risk should you actually take?

10:13 How to filter and select ETFs the right way

14:51 The importance of preparation in investing

16:42 My favorite ETFs and how I use them in different accounts

Quotables

"Financial advisors don't always have your best interests at heart. Many are just pushing paper to lock you into high-fee investments."

"A good ETF choice isn't just about performance—it's about how it fits into your portfolio, your tax situation, and your goals."

"Once you have a system in place and automate it, investing becomes effortless. That's the key to long-term success."

Links

Brokerage Comparison Guides:

Vanguard ETFs: https://investor.vanguard.com

Fidelity Investments: https://www.fidelity.com

Charles Schwab: https://www.schwab.com

M1 Finance: https://www.m1finance.com

Budgetdog https://budgetdog.com https://budgetdogacademy.com/automated-investing-ioa-ot

One of the biggest financial questions I get is: Should I pay off debt first, or start investing? In this episode, I break it all down with a clear, step-by-step framework to help you figure out exactly what makes the most sense for your situation.

We'll cover how to analyze your cash flow, interest rates, and long-term goals, plus why anything over 6% interest needs to go ASAP before you even think about investing. I'll also walk you through using amortization schedules and compound interest calculators to compare different scenarios—because numbers don't lie.

At the end of the day, money is a tool—it's about using it in the smartest way possible. If you're stuck trying to decide where to put your dollars, this episode will give you a no-BS strategy to move forward with confidence.

Key Talking Points of the Episode

00:00 Introduction

01:05 Step 1: Gather key financial documents

04:54 Step 2: Adjust your cash position

09:35 Step 3: Define your life goals

11:21 Step 4: Solve the math equation

18:30 Step 5: Review your financial plan

20:59 Step 6: Automate the process

23:43 Framework recap for debt pay-off

Quotables

"If you're not changing it, you're choosing it. Every financial decision you make—or avoid—affects your future."

"Investing early is great, but not if you're drowning in debt. Know your numbers before making a move."

"The more intentional you are with your money, the faster you'll hit your financial goals."

Links

Budgetdog

https://budgetdog.com

In this episode of Money on My Mind, I break down exactly how to start making money today—no gimmicks, no fluff. A listener asked, "What can I do to earn more money?", and I'm giving you a proven framework to build wealth by understanding value, developing skills, and leveraging access.

Most people overcomplicate making money, but it all comes down to providing value to the marketplace. Whether through a job, a business, or investing, you need the right mindset, skills, and network to increase your income. I share real strategies on how to identify problems, create valuable solutions, and get paid for them. If you're tired of struggling financially and ready to take action, this episode will shift your perspective and set you on the right path.

Key Talking Points of the Episode

00:00 Introduction

01:11 Overcomplicating how money works

02:20 Trading time vs. providing value

04:13 What determines your value?

05:49 The key to increasing your income

09:15 Investing your money to make more money

11:47 The importance of reframing your mind

13:04 Identifying problems

14:40 Become obsessed with the solution to your problem

16:35 Developing a system to solve these problems

17:58 Why should you offer your services for free?

20:47 Committing to deliver your promise

22:33 How retesting can help you refine your services

23:34 Why you should focus on investing in yourself

25:16 The kind of people you should be surrounding yourself with

27:14 The framework to make more money

29:42 How the abundance mindset can help you attract money

Quotables

"Your income is a reflection of your skills. The better your skills, the more you earn."

"The wealthy aren't necessarily smarter than you—they just have better access and connections."

"If you're afraid to invest in yourself, you'll stay stuck. Wealth starts with taking risks on YOU."

Links

Budgetdog

https://bookwithbudgetdog.com/ped

https://budgetdog.com

In this episode of Money on My Mind, I answer Bowen Bergenfield's question: "Should you invest or use a high-yield savings account (HYSA) for a big purchase?" I break down the decision using S&P 500 historical data, explain the 5-year rule for saving vs. investing, and share my experiences to help you make the best financial choice.

This episode is all about using index funds for short-term goals, and why it's usually better to stick with high-yield savings accounts (HYSAs) if you're planning for anything less than 5 years out. We're diving into the data to help you make the most of your savings and minimize risk when you're saving up for something big.

Key Talking Points of the Episode

00:00 Introduction

01:17 The 5-year rule: Why 5 years is the tipping point for saving vs. investing

02:18 S&P 500 historical risk and return from 1926 to 2024

04:18 The risk of having 1 in 4 chances of losing money in a one-year period

05:59 Why it makes sense to invest long-term

07:16 What you can use your HYSA for

08:02 When to consider alternatives like CDs for short-term goals

Quotables

"For any goal under five years, I always use a high-yield savings account—no question."

"If you need the money in the next few years, don't gamble it. Protect it in a safe account."

"Focus on your goal, stay disciplined, and don't try to outsmart the market for short-term savings."

Links

https://bookwithbudgetdog.com/ped

Budgetdog

https://budgetdog.com

Looking to maximize your investments and build long-term wealth? In this episode of Money on My Mind, I break down an easy-to-follow investment framework that anyone can apply to their financial situation. A listener, Sherry, asks: "In addition to a Roth IRA, what else should I be maxing out annually?" With a $160,000 income as our example, I walk through the exact steps to prioritize investment accounts, from employer-sponsored plans to HSAs and taxable brokerage accounts.

Whether you're just starting your investment journey or looking to optimize your existing strategy, this episode lays out the six-step investment framework to help you take control of your financial future. Plus, I share some key rules of thumb to ensure your money is working for you efficiently and automatically. Ready to build wealth? Let's dive in.

Episode Highlights:

[0:00] – Introduction

[1:06] – Understanding investment frameworks and why there's no one-size-fits-all approach

[2:26] – The three core accounts for most investors (401(k), IRA, and taxable brokerage)

[4:09] – How risk profile, age, and goals shape your investment approach

[5:04] – The first step: maximizing your employer match for guaranteed returns

[6:10] – Evaluating an Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP) with a guaranteed discount

[6:47] – Choosing between a Roth and traditional IRA and when to prioritize each

[7:14] – Breaking down Sherry's $160,000 income example – where every dollar should go

[9:35] – Calculating your ideal savings percentage and how to automate it

[10:58] – The power of an HSA and when it makes sense to prioritize it

[11:17] – Why taxable brokerage accounts can be a game-changer for flexibility

[12:39] – Step-by-step guide to calculating biweekly and monthly contributions

[13:51] – Key investment principles: index funds, reinvesting dividends, and long-term thinking

[15:17] – How Budget Dog Academy can help you personalize your investment plan

Links & Resources:

• https://bookwithbudgetdog.com/ped

If you found this episode valuable, share it with a friend who's ready to level up their investments. Don't forget to subscribe, leave a review, and keep taking bold steps toward your financial freedom.

In this episode of Money on My Mind, I dive into one of the most common (and urgent) financial questions: Is the market going to crash? One of our listeners, Stephen Lundy, asks whether he should be worried, how to secure his investments, and whether moving to bonds is the right move. Instead of focusing on fear, I break down what truly builds wealth: long-term strategy, understanding risk, and taking consistent action.

We'll break down the Wealth Triangle, the risks of market timing, and why dollar-cost averaging is key—even in volatility. I'll also share data on how missing a few top market days can cost you millions. If you're unsure about investing, this episode will give you the clarity to stay the course and avoid costly emotional decisions.

Key Talking Points of the Episode

00:00 Introduction

01:23 Is the market going to crash?

02:23 Why fear-based investing leads to bad decisions

05:21 How market volatility tricks investors into losing money

06:45 The Wealth Triangle

09:23 The importance of mental fortitude

12:24 Building an automated system to generate cash flow

14:22 The real definition of the stock market

16:37 The fundamentals of investing that you should understand

19:16 Understanding the importance of risk management

24:21 How missing the best 10 days of the market can sink your money

28:01 Why market timing does not work

30:31 Developing the right mindset towards investing

32:27 How waiting could impact your returns

https://bookwithbudgetdog.com/ped

Quotables

"The market isn't some mystical force—it's people, businesses, and the economy. Unless humans stop working and innovating, the market won't just disappear."

"If you wait to invest because you're scared, you're literally throwing away millions of dollars over time."

"You don't build wealth by reacting to fear—you build it by making smart, consistent moves over time."

Links

Budgetdog

https://budgetdog.com

In this episode of Money on My Mind, I answer a question from one of my Budgetdog Academy OGs, Joe Sullivan, about the step-by-step process of starting a business. Whether you're dusting off an old business idea or just getting serious about entrepreneurship, this no-fluff episode breaks down six essential steps—from finding your niche to scaling—without the distractions of logos, websites, or admin tasks.

I'm sharing hard-learned lessons on why most people aren't cut out for entrepreneurship, common mistakes new business owners make, and what truly matters when starting out. Ready to stop talking and start doing? This episode's for you.

Key Talking Points of the Episode

00:00 Introduction

01:29 The harsh truth: 95% of people aren't built to start a business—and why that's okay.

03:28 Why your niche, product, and real results matter more than branding

07:28 Proving your concept and providing services that will make money

09:30 Making your business repeatable without trading time for money

12:13 Simple scales, fancy fails: Why overcomplicating your business is a recipe for disaster

14:02 Focusing on sales and marketing

17:41 Hiring talent from networking instead of job boards

22:12 Learning to delegate to scale your business the right way

23:14 Systemizing your business through SOPs and other tools

31:36 The importance of communication within your team

Quotables

"Ideas are pointless. Everyone has them. What matters is who takes action and gets paid for them."

"Simple scales. Fancy fails. The more complex you make it, the worse your product probably is."

"If you can't sell it more than once, it's not a business. It's just a hustle."

Links

Budgetdog

https://budgetdog.com

Asana

https://asana.com/

Quickbooks

https://quickbooks.intuit.com/

In this episode, I break down the five key aspects of human nature that often hold us back from achieving financial success. I dive into the psychology of money, emotional decision-making, and the societal pressures that shape how we manage our finances. Along the way, I share actionable solutions to help you overcome these natural tendencies and provide insights into creating lasting wealth through discipline, patience, and self-awareness.

Join me for relatable stories, practical advice, and a clear roadmap to help you navigate and conquer common financial pitfalls.

Key Talking Points of the Episode

00:00 Introduction

02:16 The role of psychology in your success

03:34 Reason 1: The natural instinct to avoid pain

07:21 How to overcome the instinct to avoid pain

08:36 Reason 2: Survival instincts and short-term thinking

11:52 Understanding the difference between your needs and wants

13:30 Reason 3: Emotional decision-making

14:20 Logic vs emotions in wealth-building

17:58 Reason 4: Groupthink and trends

20:31 How to overcome groupthinking

24:28 Reason 5: The desire for good social standing

28:53 Starting the work with your mindset

Quotables

"Building wealth often requires embracing pain—it's part of the process of growth."

"If you always chase short-term gratification, you'll never achieve long-term financial success."

"The more self-aware you are about your psychology, the better your financial decisions will be."

Links

Budgetdog

https://budgetdog.com

In this actionable episode of Money on My Mind, I share my step-by-step playbook for securing a raise, drawing from my personal experience of achieving a 17% raise during my time at Deloitte. I tackle common misconceptions about earning more, emphasizing that providing value is far more important than relying on tenure. I break down the critical strategies of gathering market data, tracking your performance metrics, and delivering a confident, compelling pitch.

Whether you're looking to level up in your career or gain insight into employee dynamics, this episode is packed with powerful tools to help you achieve professional growth.

Key Talking Points of the Episode

00:00 Introduction

01:01 Shifting your mindset to understand the difference between time and value

02:48 How you should approach the idea of asking for a raise

04:24 Gathering market data and benchmarking salaries

06:22 Understanding your role's market demand and timing your request

08:12 Exchanging value for money

12:36 The power of tracking performance data to quantify your contributions

15:29 Preparing for the big discussion: How to structure your pitch 16:36 The value of taking the lead

19:26 Presenting yourself confidently to get your raise

20:25 The importance of having a fallback position to strengthen your negotiation

23:55 Framework recap: How to get a raise

Quotables

"Time does not equal more money." "If you want a raise, you need to show up with facts, data, and confidence—it's not just about asking."

"Leaders naturally rise to the occasion—if you want to earn more, start thinking and acting like one."

Links

Budgetdog

https://budgetdog.com

In today's episode of Money on My Mind, I'm sharing the shocking experience of watching my credit score drop 115 points after paying off my mortgage. Let's talk about the mechanics of credit scores, breaking down the five key factors that impact them and explaining why the credit industry penalizes debt-free living. I'm also sharing personal stories, practical tips, and thought-provoking insights to help you navigate the "credit game" without feeling trapped by it.

Whether you're focused on achieving financial freedom or looking to improve your credit, this episode is packed with actionable advice to help you stay in control.

Key Talking Points of the Episode

00:00 Introduction

01:26 How my credit dropped to 115

03:06 What happens to your credit when you pay off your debts?

04:19 The 5 components of a credit score

05:08 How closing credit cards can impact your credit score

07:11 Why playing "the credit game" is a losing strategy

09:26 The marketing tactics of credit card companies and how they target consumers

11:44 Being a "slave to the lender" forever

13:02 Why simplifying your financial life is the ultimate freedom

Quotables

"The credit gods didn't like that we paid off our debt—they punished us for leaving their game."

"The borrower is always a slave to the lender, no matter the interest rate."

"Simplify your life, focus on what truly matters, and get rid of the noise that keeps you on the financial treadmill."

Links

Budgetdog

https://budgetdog.com